The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-04-30

known about him, for he did not often
write home. Davy was seventeen, a nice
bright lad, in merchants Office.
Maud, for three years, had taught as a
daily governess. Itwould have been wiser
had she gone away and into family, but a
mistake was made, and the girl only gave
lessons in the neighborhood. Katherine
was the domestic mainstay of the house,
and the house, during the past year, had
had to admit a lodger
This lodger had been silent, nervous
old gentleman, who gave no trouble what
ever; perfect godsend of lodger, in fact
He was order itself None Of his belong
ings were ever allowed to litter his rooms.
He read a good deal, but his books had
their places orderly on their shelves, and
were read and re-read, annotated and di-
gested. When the reading was laid aside
the old gentleman would amuse himself by
making pen-and ink sketches of subjects
which the old authors treated of. There
would be the presentment Of Greek
poem; or, sticking out from the rough
edges of an antique volume of strange
Eastern lore, there would be the fantastic
drawing showing how the strange hero
! glyphics told their story.
Bick on holidays, and Maud, when the
silent Mr.. Harbutt came upon her in her
dustings, were the two who were shown
these things. Why, no one knew; he never
honored them with any other mark of fa-
voritism.
But his residence with them came to an
end, for certain relatives came home to live
in England, after long absence in India,
and he was persuaded to go and end his
days with them.
His due payments, and handsome pres
ent he made the girls, set the household on
very easy, comfortable footing for several
weeks, weeks in which search was made for
new lodger.
Many applied, but none were quite of
the right sort, after the kind, orderly, quaint
old gentleman.
The money filtered away, and it was
clear that the Boyles must accept another
lodger or be very pinched indeed. They
at last accepted two sisters of the most tire
some and exacting characters. Kate and
Maud shaved for them, but service was
wearisome, as it must be when dry, thank
less hearts claimed it.
NIf only Mr.. Harbutt were back T. sighed
Maud. aDear how funny he wasr' was
the laughing echo to her sigh. Kate was
bright-souled being, and always ready to
make the best of their troubles.
81 wonder whether he is as happy with
those grand folks as he was here? He had
all his things just as he chose" and Kate,
with duster in her hand-the ladies were
out for the day-looked round on chaos.
Where should she begin to straighten?
s'strange that he never writes" Maud
mused,
'Did he ever write, dear?" Kate said,
'write letters l mean. He composed, and
he imagined, and he ruminated, but until
those nephews looked him up | don't be-
lieve he received us much as one lettor a
month; certainly he never wrote one"
'No, l suppose not. Where was that
one letter from that he sent when he lelt?"
'Durham-but that's nothing; he only
went there to see somebody who had some
rare manuscript. He said that in the
letter; he was going to see this nephew at
Edinburgh, and then when the people found
place to take he was going to settle down
with them. A wild-goose chase for such
man as he !"
"Yes," again Maud spoke musingly; Il
wish he had staid here until they had
found the place"
The very next day Maud saw this in the
obituary Of the Times:
"On the 29th, at the Invercauld Arms,
Rosslyn, while travelling, James Harbutt,
aged IL"
Monotony, wearisome monotony, follow
ed. The tiresome ladies staid on until they
had been with the Boyles for just year;
then they thought they would Ikea change
and they left.
They left small debt unpaid and they
gave no address.
As girls do, even girls who have too close
an acquaintanceship with the rough side of
life, the two Boyles made grand glory in
the departure of the Misses Payne.
"We may get some one even worse,
though said Kate practically.
"Never mind what may be, we are free
now," Maud rejoined, being, as we have
said always more light of heart than her
sister was.
On that half holiday, the girls being so
gay over their freedom walked with Dick
to the station, saw him off, and then went
for Summer evening saunter among the
fields. Yes, if you strike boldly off from
the dreary bricks and mortar of New Cross,
and walk with the elasticity Of young, health
full limbs, you may, sooner than you may
think, be among the sweet-smelling hay
fields.
1t was June, and if the hedgerows were
rather dusty there were fields beyond them.
Maud's young soul drank in the fresh Sum-
mer gladness, and she talked on of every
possible subject. Past, present, and future
all drew something from her; perhaps the
past touched her the least, for she had been
50 young in the days of their good things,
that though she said she remembered every
thing, those old days had, nevertheless, but
visionary hold upon her.
II have made mistake, Kate, SET"
she said as they walked homeward. Il
should have gone away to teach-I should
have made more money, and -"
rAnd you would have held better po-
sition' Kate always nailed point de-
cisively. a0ne drudge in family is
enough"
'sI hate you to speak like that, Kate"
Maud had warm temper; such posses
sion is usually the companion Of warm
heart. eff you drudge-horrid word II
drudge If 1 got more money, would not
mother have it 2"
'sDon't be angry. I've genius for do
nestle management; for goodness sake let
me exercise it. But Iagree with you about
going away, you would be far better off in
family. Why should you not be as Miss
Marsden used to be with us?"
"She was a swell governess."
"Not any more than you can be. re-
member better than you do"
"Dear, how / should love those days of
glory Are they ever likely to come backS
What can we do? Shall l hoard? Will
uo,-,. e., da,,I,, .,o,,,a hor,a a naillionaira